Microgreens are easy to cultivate for those who are new to indoor gardening and want to add vibrant green life to dishes during the dreary months of the calendar year.

Microgreens are the juvenile shoots of vegetables (think red cabbage, beet, radish and more) that are intensely flavorful. Not to be confused with sprouts, microgreens require soil and sunlight to grow. These immature plants are loaded with more health benefits than fully grown vegetables according to an article published in the 2012 Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. Microgreens are also rich in cancer-preventing phytonutrients (a.k.a. plant nutrients).

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Grow Your Own

To grow microgreens, all that is needed is a shallow container, a seed starter potting mix, a spray bottle for watering, a sunny window or a grow light, and a couple packets of seeds of leafy vegetables, salad greens and herbs.

Some beginner-friendly seeds are arugula, radishes, beets and basil. Larger seeds--like radishes and beets--can be soaked in a jar of water overnight to aid in germination. In the morning, pat dry with a paper towel and they are ready to be planted.

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To start, punch small holes in the bottom of the container for proper drainage. Then, add about two inches of the potting mix to the tray. A deep layer isn’t necessary since these plants won’t be developing large roots. Sprinkle a healthy layer of seeds on top and gently tamp down the soil.

Next, cover the seeds with a light layer of soil--if this layer is too thick the seeds won’t sprout through. Spritz the soil with water until damp, and continue to spray twice a day as the seeds sprout.

Harvest the microgreens about two weeks after planting or when the plants begin to resemble diminutive versions of the adult plant. Simply snip the microgreens above the soil with a pair of scissors. They won’t last long after harvesting--place in a plastic bag and refrigerate to store. Or serve immediately: sprinkle over soups, garnish tacos and toss in a salad to add intense flavor, a vibrant visual and a nutritional boost to a meal.

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